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BASD committee outlines 2026–27 program‑of‑studies updates, adds biotech and AP offerings
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Summary
District curriculum staff proposed course‑catalog revisions for 2026–27 including a new biotechnology elective, math detracking steps that remove Algebra 1A, updated ESL math sequencing, and two new AP courses. The revisions will proceed to the full board for a vote later in November.
Curriculum leaders presented a set of proposed 2026–27 course catalog changes to the Bethlehem Area School District curriculum committee, including new electives, consolidations and updates they say will expand access and modernize offerings.
The updates include removing duplicate or overlapping courses and introducing new options intended to reflect current career and college pathways. "We're hoping to have this course emphasize on DNA structure, inheritance, modern gene technologies, and their applications in medicine, agriculture, forensics, and society with a great deal of hands on labs and technologies for use in the course," the curriculum presenter said of a new elective titled "Biotech: Future of Genetics." The presenter also said the district will remove a separate Genetics course and fold relevant content into the biotech elective.
District staff said the math sequence will be altered to expand access to grade‑level content: the committee was told the Algebra 1A intervention course will be removed and the district will run an Algebra 1 course alongside an academic math course adopting the SREB curriculum. "This change also supports our ongoing efforts towards detracking and promoting equitable opportunities," the presenter said. The district will revise the geometry description to match updated content and add a new elective, "Mathematical Design in the Arts," intended to connect geometry, algebra, calculus and statistics through project work.
Officials also described changes in fine and practical arts course descriptions and updates to career‑and‑technical offerings. The committee was briefed on the removal of a duplicated school‑store marketing course while preserving student‑run stores and internship opportunities; presenters said two new AP courses — AP Business and Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity — will be added to the catalog. Staff said Launch Your Career Pre‑Apprenticeship and Junior Seminar course descriptions will be revised to match current curriculum and emphasize college‑and‑career readiness.
The curriculum package will be presented for board approval at the regular board meeting later in November. Staff told the committee they will share revised course descriptions and resources with students and families before course selections begin.
What happens next: the committee recommended placing the program‑of‑studies changes on the board agenda for formal consideration; the full board is scheduled to vote on the item at the regular meeting later this month.
